Getting Around Toronto

By Plane:
Most flights arrive at Pearson International Airport, in the northwest corner of Metro Toronto, approximately 30 minutes from downtown. The trip may take longer during the morning rush 7 to 9am . A few commuter flights land at the Toronto Island Airport, a short ferry ride from downtown.

Pearson has three terminals, served by more than 50 airlines. The most spectacular is the Trillium Terminal 3 905/612-5100 . This supermodern facility has moving walkways, a huge food court, and many retail stores. There is a new, equally grand terminal currently under construction, which will one day replace the existing terminals 1 and 2.

To get from the airport to downtown, take Highway 427 south to the Gardiner Expressway East. taxi ; flat-rate limousine, and hotel shuttles are modes of travel from the airport to town.

The Airport Express bus 905/564-6333 travels between the airport, the bus terminal, and all major downtown hotels.

There is also bus service between the airport and York Mills and Yorkdale subway stations every 40 minutes.

The cheapest way to go is by subway and bus, which takes about an hour. The TTC airport bus no. 58A travels between the Lawrence West subway station and Pearson Airport Terminal 2. 416/393-4636.

By Train:
Trains arrive at Union Station on Front Street, 1 block west of Yonge Street, opposite the Royal York Ho The station has direct access to the subway, so you can easily reach any Toronto destination.

Getting Around:
By Public Transportation:
The Toronto Transit Commission, or TTC 416/393-4636 daily from 7am to 10pm for information , operates the subway, bus, streetcar, and light rapid transit LRT system.

Fares:
You can buy a special day pass that's good for unlimited travel for one person after 9:30am on weekdays, and good for up to six people a maximum of two adults anytime on Sunday and holidays. There is no Saturday pass, and no multiple-day deals.

For surface transportation, you need a ticket, a token, or exact change. You can buy tickets and tokens at subway entrances and at authorized stores that display the sign TTC. Bus drivers do not sell tickets, nor will they make change. Always obtain a free transfer where you board the train or bus, in case you need it. In the subways, use the push-button machine just inside the entrance. On streetcars and buses, ask the driver for a transfer.

The Subway:
It is fast, quiet, and clean: and very simple to use. There are two lines: Bloor-Danforth and Yonge-University-Spadina: that form a cross. The Bloor Street east-west line runs from Kipling Avenue in the west to Kennedy Road in the east where it connects with Scarborough Rapid Transit to Scarborough Centre and McCowan Rd. . The Yonge Street north-south line runs from Finch Avenue in the north to Union Station Front St. in the south. From there, it loops north along University Avenue and connects with the Bloor line at the St. George station. A Spadina extension runs north from St. George to Downsview station at Sheppard Avenue.

The light rapid transit LRT system connects downtown to Harbourfront. The fare is one ticket or token. It runs from Union Station along Queen's Quay to Spadina, with stops at Queen's Quay ferry docks, York Street, Simcoe Street, and Rees Street, then continues up Spadina to the Spadina subway station. The transfer from the subway to the LRT and vice versa at Union Station is free.

The subway operates Monday to Saturday 6am to 1:30am, Sunday 9am to 1:30am. From 1am to 5:30am, the Blue Night Network operates on basic surface routes. It runs about every 30 minutes. For route information, pick up a "Ride Guide" at subway entrances or call 416/393-4636. Multilingual information is available. You can also use the automated information service at 416/393-8663.

Buses & Streetcars:
Where the subway leaves off, buses and streetcars take over. They run east-west and north-south along the city's arteries. For complete TTC information, call 416/393-4636.